Classic Poem

From kindred and home, all alone, she is gone
To a country unknown, save in story
But her beautiful soul will awaken at dawn,
To a new life of infinite glory.

We watched by her side through the last bitter night,
Fond words of affection repeating,
Till her lip lost its hue and her dark eye its light,
And slowly her pure heart stopped beating.

And, weeping, we followed her down to the shore
Of the silent and shadowy river,
But we saw not the boatman that carried her o'er,
Nor the angels sent down to receive her.

We saw not at parting a wave of her hand,
For our vision was dim and uncertain;
We caught not a glimpse of the thitherward strand,
When the messenger lifted the curtain.

We knew she had passed from the trials of earth,
To the rest God has promised the weary:
But wept when we thought of thy desolate hearth,
And thy future so lonely, so dreary!

We wept for our friend for the sweet, gentle face,
With kindness and sympathy lighted;
The womanly tenderness, beauty and grace,
That the Silent Destroyer had blighted.

We wept for her child, her one darling—bereft
Of the love of a true, tender mother,
Well knowing the void in his life she had left
Could never be filled by another.

The voice that consoled thee, when trouble was sore,
That made many a rough pathway even,
Will thrill with its sweetness thy soul nevermore
Till ye meet in the kingdom of Heaven.

But she will be with thee again in the hour
When trouble and care are oppressing—
An angel commissioned by infinite power
To brighten thy way with a blessing.

And she will be with thee, wherever thou art,
When the shadow of death darkens o'er thee,
To whisper sweet comfort and peace to thy heart,
Through the valley she traveled before thee.

Then bid her “Good-night,” she has gone to her rest,
Arrayed in love's perfect adorning;
It will be but a day, till at God's high behest,
Thou shalt bid her a happy “Good morning.”